Believer

Album: Time Of My Life (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The closing track from American rock band 3 Doors Down's fifth studio album, Time Of My Life finds the five-piece rocking out like they've never rocked out before. Frontman Brad Arnold described it to Billboard magazine as, "a punk rock song, almost like a 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' song or something. It's just a rocker."
  • 3 Doors Down bass player Todd Harrell described this in our 2011 interview as the band's "Curve Ball" song - which tends to happen at least once on every record. Lead singer Brad Arnold came up with the lyrics about a younger man who gets picked up by an older woman, and ends up back at her house in an awkward situation when her husband arrives. Said Harrell: "It's a real fast song: Brad sat down and started telling a story, and the story evolved into a real heavy punk rock song. When Brad comes up with those stories, we fill in and play the music so he can finish his little story." (Here's the full Todd Harrell interview.)
  • The song is a collaboration between Arnold and rhythm guitarist Chris Roberts. The 3 Doors Down vocalist told Artist Direct: "That song came about from a guitar part. When we started writing the record, Chris brought over four or five guitar parts, and he said, 'Listen to this!' I started listening, and that one stuck out to me. I took me three or four days to wrap my head around it. I thought, 'This is too good not to write lyrics to.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.